Word Origin & History

sarcophagus "stone coffin," 1601, from L. sarcophagus, from Gk. sarkophagos "limestone used for coffins," lit. "flesh-eating," in reference to the supposed action of this type of limestone (quarried near Assos in Troas) in quickly decomposing the body, from sarx (gen. sarkos) "flesh" (see sarcasm) + phagein "to eat" (see -phagous). The stone sense was the earliest in Eng,; meaning "stone coffin, often with inscriptions or decorative carvings" is recorded from 1705. The L. word, shortened in V.L. to *sarcus, is the source of Fr. cercueil, Ger. Sarg "coffin," Du. zerk "tombstone."

Example Sentences for sarcophagus

Above the silk was an ivory mask, the spoil of a sarcophagus, which he had found in Seville.

They knelt down, each in turn, before the sarcophagus, and put their lips to it.

We are in the antechamber of the hall where the sarcophagus is bound to be!

The vases contained the viscer of the mummy enclosed in the sarcophagus.

The cover was off, but the painted coffin of the Pharaoh lay in the depths of the sarcophagus.

I have lain my breasts Against the granite Of the sarcophagus Where he was.

The 'Sarcophagus' displays every known variety of architecture and decoration.

His name is taken off the books of the 'Sarcophagus' long ago.

The fourth side of the sarcophagus presents us with a banqueting scene.

The light was within the sarcophagus, and Alan could discern her features.